Confirmation Program

Confirmation Preparation

Format Overview and SchedulesJunior High classes meet weekly starting in September. The classes are 75 minutes. 1st and 2nd year sessions will prepare teens to celebrate the sacrament of Confirmation, which can first be celebrated in their 8th grade year. The topics include: seven sacraments, scripture, saints, prayer, liturgy, Mass, morality, and church history. Each session begins with Breaking Open the Word in Marian Hall. Then, each class will have one hour for the lesson plan.

TextbookTeens must bring a YOUCAT to class each week.

Overview of the Sacrament of Confirmation:
Confirmation is a completion of baptism. By the sacrament of Confirmation, teens become stronger members of Corpus Christi and are empowered to share their faith with others. Teens will be challenged to share and defend their faith in school, sports, music, art, and in the community.

When can you be Confirmed?
8th Grade is the first year that you can be confirmed. If you are not ready to make this step in your initiation into the Catholic community, you will be able to celebrate it later in your life (high school, college, adult).

Requirements:
Before the first year of preparation which typically in 7th grade, each person must take part in religious education classes every year. If you have dropped out of religious education classes before 7th grade, we will expect you to take make-up classes.

Mass Attendance:
We expect you to be attending Mass every Sunday. If you don’t attend Mass on Sundays, it may be grounds to delay the celebration of the sacrament for another time in your life when you are better prepared. We expect each 7th and 8th grader to fill out 15 Mass Reflection Sheets a year.

Sponsors:They must be a confirmed practicing Catholic over the age of 16. You may choose one of your Godparents. You could choose a sibling, or other family members, but not your parents. The sponsor is called to be in relationship with the candidate so that they can help you grow deeper in your Catholic faith. It should be someone who is present in your life. They are required to be present at Confirmation and a practice. If they don’t attend Corpus Christi, there is a sponsor verification form that must be filled out by the sponsor’s home parish. You must fill out a Sponsor Report that explains to the youth minister why you chose this sponsor.

Confirmation Name:Every candidate must pick a Confirmation name. It is a Christian name from the Litany of the Saints or from the Bible. You may use your Baptismal name. There is a Saint report to fill out and turn in to the YM office explaining the background and reason for choosing your saint name.

Service Projects:Each candidate must have completed two service projects each year (1st and 2nd Year). The service must be an action completed in the community for others. A good place to start for ideas is the Corporal or Spiritual Works of Mercy. We will post any service opportunities in the parish bulletin or hand out flyers during sessions. There is a form to fill out and turn in to the YM Office.

Letter to the Pastor:Each candidate will write a letter to the Pastor requesting the sacrament. There are a few items to include in the letter. 1) Why do you want to be confirmed? 2) Share the reasons you choose your saint name and sponsor. 3) Share about your service projects. What did you do? How did the project spread the Kingdom of God?

Retreats:Every Candidate will attend one retreat in each year of Confirmation Prep.

Year One Retreat:March 9 from 9am-5pm Teens registered for the first year of Confirmation prep will have a day long retreat 9:00am to 5:00pm in Marian Hall. The Diocese of Joliet Retreat team will be leading the retreat day. It will include lunch.

Year Two Confirmation Retreats Fall Year Two RetreatNovember 9/10 or January 18/19, 2019
All Year Two Confirmation Students need to attend two retreats (Fall and Spring). The Fall Retreat begins at 6 p.m. on Friday and ends with the 5 p.m. Mass on Saturday. Parents arrive at 4 p.m. for wrap-up session. Includes dinner on Friday, breakfast and lunch on Saturday. We need parents to volunteer to help with supervision.